2013 Mazda 3 i Grand Touring 4-Door review notes

By
Greg Migliore

May 1, 2013

NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: The Mazda 3 i Grand Touring 4-Door has a tight chassis, sporty style and a light curb weight, which all makes for an athletic experience behind the wheel and energy not typically found in this segment.

The interior, however, is basic and plain, and lags behind others in this segment, like the Hyundai Elantra or Ford Focus, to name two. On the plus side, the seats are comfortable and the driving position is good.

The engine is adequate, nothing remarkable or offensive, though it is bit loud. Most of the Mazda 3's dynamic comes from the chassis and weight, not the powertrain. Steering is a bit light -- too much so for my taste -- but otherwise the sedan is well-behaved and eager for whatever the driver wants to throw at it.

The styling is simple, cute, sporty and generally positive, though it is getting a bit pedestrian compared to other vehicles in this area. Overall, the Mazda 3 is a good car, but it seems like it's been passed by competitors, who take greater risks with powertrain and design.

EXECUTIVE EDITOR BOB GRITZINGER: Just because it's a simple sedan doesn't make the 3 any less a Mazda. Like many of its Mazda brethren, what the 3 lacks in interior amenities and breakthrough styling it makes up for with sporty driving character. I found the car quite engaging -- it really feels light on its feet, though that could in part be due to the superlight steering weight. Regardless, it's a fun car to toss around, drive with a little more attention to the powertrain and less to the radio.

Nice package, with the techno bits.

ROAD TEST EDITOR JONATHAN WONG: We all know Mazda is making a big deal about its fuel efficient SkyActiv equipment. The CX-5 compact crossover has been a hit for the Japanese automaker and features the full SkyActiv treatment from the drivetrain to the chassis. The same goes for the new Mazda 6 midsize sedan, but this Mazda 3 only boasts the SkyActiv drivetrain. So even without Mazda's latest lightweight chassis bits, this 3 gets an EPA fuel-economy rating of 40 mpg on the highway, which seems to be the magic number these days. I wonder what kind of numbers the next-generation 3 will get when it arrives with all of the SkyActiv stuff.

But getting back to this test car, the 3 remains the most athletic entry in the segment. The suspension is firm for a confident and planted feeling through curves. Snappy handling reflexes come at the expense of a little in the ride quality department, but I'm OK with that, and the suspension still provides enough give to take the edge off of bigger bumps. Steering is responsive with some weight tuned into it, and the brakes are strong.

Since the drivetrain is tuned for fuel economy, the transmission is quick to short shift into the highest gear possible, which is annoying. You need to stomp on the gas pedal every time you want to get going quickly, be it for passing, merging or making left turns. I will give credit to the gearbox for downshifting in short order, though, and once you are in the middle of the rev range there is adequate power.

The interior is showing its age, and the cabin isn't that well isolated from road and wind noise. Materials are OK, but I do hope the next 3 follows in the footsteps of the CX-5 and 6 from that standpoint, because those two cars have cabins that are rather nice.

Still, the 3 remains my pick in the class from a driving standpoint. I would get the five-door hatchback, though. As for the car I would buy in this class, I would probably go for a Ford Focus or a Honda Civic, which are more complete packages with nicer interiors and drive characters that are entertaining enough.

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